Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of silver-doped curcumin-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 particles (ZIF-8) have attracted attention because of their high drug-loading capabilities. In this study, we synthesized silver (Ag)-doped curcumin (CUR) adsorbed ZIF-8 to test its antibacterial activity against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Ag-doped curcumin adsorbed ZIF-8 particles (Ag@CUR/ZIF-8) were investigated to study their crystallinity, charge, morphology, chemical bonding, absorption, and adsorption characteristics, and the results showed successful loading of curcumin and silver into the ZIF-8 structure. Microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the CUR/ZIF-8 particles have a rhombic dodecahedral morphology and the synthesis of Ag@CUR/ZIF-8 through doping using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The nanoparticle size was around 150 nm, while the average crystalline size was 14.768 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ag@CUR/ZIF-8 was 40 μg/ml against all strains of S. aureus, exhibiting substantial antibacterial activity against the pathogens tested. This proves that Ag@CUR/ZIF-8 displayed superior antibacterial activity through the synergistic effect of CUR, Ag, and zinc ions.